Microsoft to support XP through to 2014

In a letter sent to customers this week, Microsoft senior VP Bill Veghte said the software maker will provide security patches “and other critical updates” for Windows XP until April, 2014…

In addition to supporting XP through 2014, Microsoft is now actively promoting a program that allows customers to downgrade Vista systems to XP through a loophole in the company’s licensing terms. Microsoft’s software license allows customers who purchase a copy of Windows to install and run a previous version of the OS at no additional cost.

“It’s true that we will stop selling Windows XP as a retail packaged product and stop licensing it directly to major PC manufacturers [after June 30],” wrote Veghte. “But customers who still need Windows XP will be able to get it,” he said.